Cost of Living

The cost of off-base housing and car insurance is extremely high in this area. Do not assume your insurance company will be willing or able to ensure your automobile in New Jersey. Compared to the rest of the country, Burlington County's cost of living is 6% higher than the U.S. average. Lakehurst's cost of living is 15% higher than the U.S. average.

The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.

In-Depth Overview

History

Camp Dix is named for MG John Adams Dix, veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. During World War I, Camp Dix was a training and staging center that soon grew to become the largest military reservation in the Northeast. On March 8, 1939, Fort Dix became a permanent Army post and from 1947 until 1988, Fort Dix was designated as a Basic Training Center. As a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendations, Fort Dix has become a major training and mobilization center for Reserve Component soldiers. In 2005, base realignment guidelines designated Fort Dix to become part of a mega-installation, merging with McGuire AFB and NAES Lakehurst. For more information, go to the Fort Dix homepage.

Known as Rudd Field, and established as a part of the Army in 1937, the base transferred to the Air Force in 1949. The base is named in honor of Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., the second leading American Air Ace of World War II and posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. See the McGuire homepage for more information.

NAES Lakehurst dates back to 1917, when the command was established as the Naval Aircraft Factory. Because aircraft manufacturers were too busy building planes for the Army, the Navy decided to build the only aircraft factory ever to be completely owned and operated by the U.S. Government. After breaking ground in Philadelphia in August 1917, the first plane, an H-16 Flying Boat, flew off to war eight months later. By the end of World War I, aircraft were coming off the line at the rate of two airplanes per day. Experimental research and development of new types of airplanes was the thrust after the war. Nearly 1000 of the famed N3N "Yellow Peril" airplanes were built here before and during World War II. A total of 1,407 airplanes of six types were produced during World War II, as were 1,300 aircraft engines. Hangars 5 and 6, built in 1943, are among the largest single-arch wooden structures in the world.

In 1962, the center became the Naval Air Engineering Center. It was reorganized in 1967 with various functions moving to several different locations. In 1973, NAEC was transferred to Naval Air Station Lakehurst. In 1977, existing Lakehurst commands were consolidated with NAEC, with NAEC as the host command. In 1992 the NAEC became the Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, NJ. Lakehurst is most well known as the site of the 1937 crash of the hydrogen powered dirigible, the Hindenburg. On 30 September 2009, a formal ceremony was held to decommission NAES Lakehurst. On 1 October, 2009, Lakehurst formally merged to become Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Population

McGuire

Dix

Lakehurst

17,353

13,901

9,685

In addition, there are more than 60,000 retirees within a 50 mile radius.

In addition, there are more than 60,000 retirees within a 50 mile radius of Joint Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Location

Dix and McGuire are located in Burlington County New Jersey (south central) in the Delaware River Region, near New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and the famous New Jersey Shore. The base is located in a wooded, rural/agricultural area which is the least densely populated area in the state. This area is not only rich in the history of the American Revolution but offers a wealth of natural open space, rural farms, little pollution, minimal traffic and great entertainment venues. The cost of off-base housing and car insurance is extremely high in this area. The base operator's phone numbers are 609-562-1011 and 609-754-1011.

Lakehurst is located on the eastern portion of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. - formerly known as Naval Air Engineering Station (NAES) Lakehurst.

Lakehurst lies on approximately 7,400 of the joint base's 42,000 contiguous acres and is centrally located in the New Jersey Pinelands. The eastern side of the base is a resort area located geographically in a high cost of living region of the United States. This is a suburban/rural community and you will need a personal vehicle to take advantage of the services and activities in the area. The base operator's phone number is 732-323-2011.

Directions

Traveling to Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst (McGuire and Dix)

Location & Background

JB MDL (McGuire and Dix) is located southern New Jersey in a lovely, rural agricultural area; the least densely populated part of the state. There is no pollution, no traffic and very little crime in the area. JB MDL has an easy access to the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295 and the metropolitan cities of New York and Philadelphia.

From Philadelphia International Airport

Airport Shuttle Service

After picking-up your baggage from the Baggage Claim area stop by the ground transportation desk, ask for the Rapid Rover Shuttle Service. Drivers accept Visa, Master Card and American Express.

Head east Take the ramp on the left to I-95 N 0.7miKeep left at the fork, follow signs for Philadelphia/I-95 N and merge onto I-95 NTake exit 19 for Interstate 76 toward Walt Whitman Br/Packer AvenueMerge onto I-76 E Entering New JerseyTake exit 1B to merge onto I-295 N toward TrentonExit onto Florence Rd/Rte 656Continue straight onto Columbus Rd Continue onto E Main StContinue onto Mt Pleasant RdTurn right onto Wrightstown Georgetown RdContinue on road after slight left and you'll be on McGuire Access HwyContinue on to Main entrance to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-LakehurstAfter passing through gate make the first left before the circle into the parking area.Follow the parking area back around to the front buildings and you'll find Personnel (MPS).

For Army Personnel:

Head east Take the ramp on the left to I-95 N 0.7miKeep left at the fork, follow signs for Philadelphia/I-95 N and merge onto I-95 NTake exit 19 for Interstate 76 toward Walt Whitman Br/Packer AvenueMerge onto I-76 E Entering New JerseyTake exit 1B to merge onto I-295 N toward TrentonExit onto Florence Rd/Rte 656Continue straight onto Columbus Rd Continue onto E Main StContinue onto Mt Pleasant RdTurn Right on Route 68Continue on 68 to enter Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (limited Hours)Through the gate take 3rd exit off circle on Ft. Dix RoadTravel to next traffic circle and take the first right off circle - Delaware AveFollow Delaware to Bldg 5418 on your left side about 1 mile up.Parking is on back side of building.

Military and Family Support Center (MFSC) is located at 3435 Broidy Road near the exchange.

When departing the Newark International Airport follow signs for NJ TurnpikeProceed south on NJ TurnpikeExit at Bordentown, Exit 7Bear left after the toll to DixTake Route 206 South for approximately 1/4 mileTurn left onto Route 68Proceed for about 8 miles - this will bring you to Route 68 JB MDL Gate and onto the checkpoint.Continue to circle. Take first right off circle onto 4th Street.At blinking light (old Walson Army Hospital will be in front of you) turn right onto New Jersey AvenueTake left onto 8th StreetSoldiers - Take a left onto Delaware Avenue, go to 5418 Delaware Avenue for in-processing.Airmen - continue on 8th Street and make a left onto Texas Avenue, take second right off circle to Wrightstownn Road. Make a right at traffic light onto Cookstown Road.JB MDL checkpoint will be to your right.

From John F. Kennedy International Airport (about two-hour drive to JB MDL)

There is no military or direct commercial transportation from JFK to JB MDL. Princeton Air porter operates a scheduled run from JFK IAP to Newark IAP. From Newark IAP travelers en route to JB- MDL can switch to the New Jersey Transit bus (see NJ Transit Bus information mentioned above ).

Directions Driving From Washington, D.C.

Take I-95 to New JerseyAfter departing Delaware Memorial Bridge look for 295N signsStay on 295N exiting at Exit 40A - Moorestown, NJ to Route 38 EastStay on Route 38 East through Mount Laurel, Hainesport, Mount Holly to Pemberton for about 15 milesRoad will narrow to one lane prior to turn at traffic light in PembertonTurn left onto Route 616 (Pemberton-Wrightstown Rd)Proceed for 4-5 miles bearing left after the blinking light to the traffic light at Route 68At the light make a right to the Dix checkpointProceed through the checkpointTake first right off circle onto 4th Street to traffic light (old Walson Army Hospital will be in front of you)Turn right onto New Jersey Avenue.

Trenton Amtrak Train Station

Call 1-800-872-7245 for Amtrak information. There is no NJ Transit bus transportation from the Trenton Train Station to JB MDL, however local taxi service is available. Proximity to site is about 25 minutes.

Traveling to Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst (Lakehurst)

There are no mass transit services directly to Lakehurst. For information on Public Transit in NJ, visit the NJ Transit website.

Parkway South to Exit 88 (Route 70 West)Follow signs on route 70 West to Route 547 and turn right (Gulf station on right, McDonalds on left)Bear left down 547 and proceed about ¼ mile to main gate (second gate-after the industrial gate)

From Philadelphia's 30th Street Train Station

East on Market Street to fifth streetLeft on Fifth - two blocks to Ben Franklin Bridge ($2 toll)Cross bridge onto Admiral Wilson Blvd. (Route 30-to Cherry Hill)2½ miles on Admiral Wilson Blvd. To Route 70 EastStay on route 70 east approximately 45 milesTurn left at route 547 (There will be a traffic circle two lights before the turn with the Mike-O-Neal motel on the left. At547, Gulf station on left and McDonalds on the right.)Bear left on 547 and proceed about ¼ mile to main gate (second gate-after the industrial gate)

Route 2 to 301 east or north301 (about 896E (4miles) to 13N13N (16 miles) to Delaware River Bridge ($2)Immediately as you exit bridge, get on 295NRoute 295 North to Route 195 East (follow signs & stay right when nearing 195 East)Route 195 East to exit 16. Left onto Route 537Route 537 to Route 571 (2nd light). Right onto Route 571Route 571 to Route 547 (right at 2nd light-Ridgeway Liquor)Proceed to main gate

What to do when You Arrive at the Front Gate

When you arrive at the front gate, show proper ID and seek guidance from Gate Guard. You may be expected to detour to the Pass & ID office during working hours to produce appropriate paperwork for the vehicle that you are driving (registration, insurance, etc.)

Contact Information

609-562-1011 or DSN 312-562-1011 (Dix-McGuire)

732-323-2011 or DSN 312-624-1110 (Lakehurst)

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